CAIP and Brighter Signals Form Strategic Partnership
Recently, Jiangsu Changshu Automotive Trim Group Co., Ltd. (CAIP) announced an agreement for a strategic partnership with Brighter Signals B.V. of the Netherlands, a fabric-based tactile sensing technology innovator, to manufacture next-generation tactile sensing technology for automotive and robotics.
Under the agreement, CAIP will manufacture Brighter Signals’ patented fabric-based tactile sensors at its facilities in China, with production expanding to its new European facility in 2026. The companies will also collaborate to integrate Brighter Signals’ sensors into automotive seats and interior systems through partnerships with other Tier-1 suppliers to create intelligent solutions. The agreement is expected to be finalized in a signing ceremony, in China, later this quarter.
Brighter Signals’ patented sensors is a fabric-based, multi-functional tactile sensing system capable of monitoring data of force, weight, proximity, movement, and position in real-time - with the ability to differentiate between humans and objects. Compared to traditional radar, ultrasonic, and piezoelectric sensors, these flexible fabric sensors are lightweight, recyclable and sustainably produced, combining performance with environmental stewardship. Their fundamental patents cover key areas including fabric structure, conductive layer layout, and signal algorithms.
Brighter Signals’ technology is disrupting the in-cabin sensing market with a superior alternative to radar and other legacy systems. The sensors have undergone more than three years of extensive testing by leading global car makers, confirming their accuracy, reliability, and durability. Initial applications will support OEMs in meeting new safety regulations in Europe, China and the US, while comfort and intelligent interior features are expected to see rapid uptake—especially as Chinese EV makers rapidly redefine consumer expectations.
Andrew Klein, CEO of Brighter Signals B.V., said: “This partnership with CAIP is a major step forward in our mission to bring tactile sensing into every car and every factory. CAIP’s global manufacturing footprint and deep expertise in automotive systems will help us scale production rapidly and deliver our technology to OEMs worldwide. Together, we are enabling safer, more intelligent and more sustainable mobility - and driving the next wave of industrial automation.”
Mr. Xiaochun Luo, CEO of CAIP, said: “CAIP has built its reputation as a trusted Tier 1 supplier by helping our OEM customers adopt breakthrough innovations at scale. Brighter Signals’ tactile sensing technology represents a true paradigm shift in occupant classification and in cabin intelligence. We are excited to work with Brighter Signals to integrate this technology into seats and interior systems for leading automakers worldwide.”
With this partnership, CAIP and Brighter Signals are poised to redefine how vehicles sense and respond to the world around them, making them safer and more comfortable for all occupants.
About Brighter Signals
Brighter Signals B.V. offers a flexible, high depth, multi modal tactile sensing platform. The company’s fabric-based sensors capture detailed pressure gradients in real time, delivering touch sensitivity, context-awareness, and environmental sustainability all in one. Brighter Signals is backed by Antler Venture Capital and based in Amsterdam.